MasterCard offers a variety of prepaid cards. These are basically payment cards that are pre-loaded with money for it to be used for purchase just like a credit or debit card. Prepaid card however does not put you into credit nor is it link to your bank account. You are only allowed to use the value loaded into the card. That value diminishes for every transaction that you have until it becomes depleted.
A prepaid MasterCard gift card can be used anywhere debit MasterCard are accepted. It is perfect for use as gift on any occasion and works just like cash. They can come in a variety of styles and have limits on the amount the card can hold. When making a purchase it is an easy as giving the cashier your card or swiping it at the terminal. Any purchase made will automatically be deducted from the card balance. If you have to make a return bring your card with you and they will re-credit the account with the return amount. You can even use the card when the balance is less than the amount being purchased. Simply ask the cashier to split the tender and pay the remaining portion in any other way you want.
When you first acquire a prepaid MasterCard gift card, it is necessary to call the phone number or visit the web site on the back of the card to activate it. Activation and registration requirement can vary with different card so it is best to read all included instructions. Personal information will be required if you want to take advantage of the reload functions and card replacement benefits. You can reload a card after you register your MasterCard gift card by setting up direct deposit of your paycheck. It is also possible to add money to your card at participating retailers.
MasterCard gift cards are valid as long as the expiration date on the card is valid, or all the funds on the card have been depleted. They can be purchased at a bank, online, or any number of retail locations in your area. Whether the gift card is for your or to be given as a gift, it provides a simply solution to complicated money matters.
Note: Details listed here are may not reflect recent changes on the gift card features / details. It is highly recommended to visit the official site of the gift card that you have.
Types of MasterCard Gift Cards
There are three types of prepaid gift cards offered by MasterCard. The MasterCard Everyday Prepaid Card which is basically designed for everyday use. This is ideal for cashless shopping and cashless payment for bills. The prepaid feature also allows better management for expenses because you can limit the amount loaded in the card and you can view transaction details and statements online. This is a reloadable card, meaning that you can add more funds to it any time.
The MasterCard Travel Card is designed for traveling individuals. This is accepted worldwide where Debit MasterCard cards are accepted. This is considered safer than carrying cash because of the security features provided by MasterCard. This can also be managed online or by phone wherein you can check your balance, see transaction history and account information. This is also a reloadable card similar to the MasterCard Everyday Prepaid Card.
The MasterCard Prepaid Gift Card
This is the official MasterCard Gift Card. Again, it’s classified under the prepaid cards offered by MasterCard. This is an ideal gift for a lot of reasons.
Similar to most gift cards, the MasterCard Gift Card allows the recipients to buy the gift of their choice. So the risk of giving an unwanted gift is greatly reduced.
The MasterCard Prepaid Gift Card is accepted by millions of retail locations worldwide. This is not attached to a specific store, retailer or a shopping center. This means that the gift card recipient will have wider selection of items that he or she wants to purchase.
MasterCard Prepaid Gift Cards can be used immediately by the recipients. This card can be used to purchase goods or services in person, and can also be used to shop online. The balance checking, management of account information and view of transaction history can also be done through the internet.
Depending on who issues the gift card, the MasterCard Gift Card can be personalized with your own personal message, photos and name of the recipient.
The MasterCard Gift Card can be purchased online or from participating retail stores or banks. After which, you need to activate the gift card by requesting it during the in-store purchase or through phone by calling the number on the card packaging.
Unlike the other two prepaid cards offered by MasterCard, the MasterCard Gift Card is not reloadable. The gift card recipient can use the card to make purchases until the value in the card gets depleted. If the balance can’t fully cover the purchase amount, you can mention that upon purchase and state other methods to pay for the remaining balance, such as cash or other cards.
Also, the MasterCard Gift Card has an expiration date printed within the card.
To purchase a Mastercard Gift Card, you can visit the MasterCard “Get a Card” page. You need to select the correct kind of card you want to purchase and then choose the right issuer. In the case of MasterCard Gift Card, the issuers as of this writing are as follows:
- Bank Freedom Prepaid MasterCard from Bank Freedom
- Key Possibilities Prepaid Gift Card from Keybank
- Natalie Gulbis Gift MasterCard from MetaBank
- Washington Mutual Prepaid MasterCard Gift Card from Washington Mutual
- Gift MasterCard from RBS Citizens, N.A.
To know more about the MasterCard Prepaid Cards, you can visit the FAQ page.
3 Benefits To Giving A MasterCard Prepaid Gift Card
When you are trying to find the best present for someone you do not know very well it can be hard. Even though the thought of a store gift card may be appealing, there is still the fear of giving a card to a store that the person will never use. This is why the card is the best gift you can give. There are 3 reasons why this is an excellent present for someone you do not know well or even someone you are very close with.
- Allows Them to Get Just What They Want- With this, they can choose exactly what they want, not just what you think they may want. This means they will get something they will truly love and enjoy.
- Can be Spent Anywhere MasterCard is Accepted- Unlike other gift cards, where you can only use them at the store it is for, you can use this wherever MasterCard is accepted. There are not many places that do not accept major credit cards these days.
- Quick and Easy- The MasterCard prepaid gift card can be bought at many different stores, including grocery stores and pharmacies. This makes the shopping easy and wrapping is as simple as a holder for it.
There are many reasons this makes a perfect present. So the next time you are unsure as to what you should get someone, pick them up one of these cards.
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